School Meals

Children are welcome to stay for school lunch. All meals must be ordered and paid for on the first day of the school week (usually Monday). If your child is absent the money should still be sent to school on the day they return to school. Dinner money should be placed in the envelopes provided, with the child’s name, class and amount of money enclosed, clearly written on the outside. Parents are requested to please send the correct amount and remember to deduct credits for any absences from the previous week.

The price for a School Meal is £2.00 per day (£10.00 per week). Payments can be made weekly or half termly. Parents are notified in the newsletter of weekly and half termly payments and whenever an increase occurs.

If you wish your child to change their lunch time meal arrangements we require written notice. The change may only take place at the beginning of a HALF TERM, and therefore a letter would be required before the end of the previous half term.

An application for a free meal can be made by the person who has responsiblilty for a child or children and who are in receipt of one or more of the following payments:

Income Support (IS)*

Income Based Jobseekers All owance (IBJSA)*

Employment and SUpport Allowance (ESA) Income Related

Child Tax Credit WHERE INCOME AS ASSESSED BY H.M.R.C. DOES NOT EXCEED £16,190 AND ARE NOT ENTITLED TO WORKING TAX CREDIT

Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)

Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

*Please note that children who receive IS or IBJSA in their own right are also eligible to receive free school meals.

If you think your child may be entitle to free meals please telephone Hartlepool Borough Council's Benefits Section on 01429 284188 or apply usijng an application form obtainable from the school office. Every effort is made to ensure that children receiving free meals cannot be distinguished from other children.

Children from Reception up to and including Year 2 are currently entitled to receive a universal free school meal.

There is a choice of a meat, vegetarian or fish main dish and salad bar and a variety of desserts including yoghurts and fresh fruit each day, as a child prefers. Parents are welcome to come into school to see the choice of food available. School Meal Menus are available from the main entrance area or can be accesed by clicking on the link below:

Children who stay at school for dinners may NOT leave the premises during the mid-day break unless the Headteacher gives express permission, or a request in writing, from a parent, is received.

We have healthy school status.

If your child has a packed lunch we ask that you do not provide them with sweets, crisps, chocolate bars or confectionery items which includes chocolate coated biscuits. Other children are not allowed them as this does not comply with our healthy eating policy. Fizzy confectionery drinks in cans or bottles are a problem and are not allowed. We ask that you do not provide your child with nutella, peanut butter, nuts/seeds in a bag or any other nut based products. This is due to the adverse effect that can be caused to the children we have in school who have a nut allergy. Please ensure your child has a regular sized lunch box or bag that will fit on the storage trolley. Back packs are too big. As the trolleys are not refrigerated it is suggested that boxes are cooled using ice packs.

Children bringing packed lunches must be able to manage the opening of their lunch boxes and contents.

PLAYTIME FRUIT

The school is involved in a government initiative to provide a piece of fruit for every Key Stage 1 child every day. This is usually eaten at the beginning of the day. School provides free fruit for KS2 pupils. All pupils are welcome to bring additional fruit to eat at break time.

MILK

We run a milk scheme in order that chldren can have the benefit of daily milk which provides calcium for strong bones, essential minerals, vitamins and as a source of protein and energy.

Those pupils wanting milk each day are asked for a donation each term and to complete a consent form confirming they have no allergy to milk. Deadline dates for sending in donations and consent forms are detailed in our Friday Newsletter which can be found on our website.

WATER BOTTLES

All children are allowed to bring in a water bottle (bottles available at the office) which they keep in their classroom and are refilled when necessary. They have access to these during class time, to prevent dehydration and to aid concentration.